Swim Neshonoc

Swim Neshonoc  June 21, 2026

West Salem, Wisconsin      

1.2 mile and 2.4 mile swim                                                                                                                                                                                  

It's an open water swimming event across the picturesque Lake Neshonoc in West Salem Wisconsin. Choose your distance and enjoy a beautiful morning swim through this 606 acre lake located in La Crosse County. The 2.4 mile swim, starts at Swarthout Park beach, is out and back. The 1.2 mile swim will start at the South Boat Ramp at the other end of the lake. There will be a bus at Swarthout Park to transport 1.2 mile swimmers to their start location. Both distances finish at Swarthout Park Beach.                                                                                                                      

There will be a wetsuit and a non wetsuit division for each distance. The cut off time for the 1.2 mile swim is 1:10 and for the 2.4 mile swim 2:20. Open water swim buoys are allowed and recommended. They should be a color other than orange to avoid confusion with sighting buoys but if you only have orange it's better than no buoy. 

Registration includes a swim cap, an event t-shirt, timed results, finisher medal, food and drink, first place age group awards and overall awards for each distance. The swim will be supported by lifeguards, the La Crosse Dive Unit, kayakers and Gundersen Tri State Ambulance. 2026 race results can be found at 2026 results

Packet pick up and volunteer check in is 4:00 - 6:00pm Saturday June 20 and 6:30 - 7:45am on race day at the Swarthoout Park shelter. There will be a mandatory meeting at 7:40am. No swimmers under the age of 18 are allowed.    

Packet pickup - Saturday June 20 4:00-6:00 pm and Sunday June 21 7:00 - 7:30 am. at the Swarthout Park shelter  

Parking -  available at Swarthout Park on a first come first serve basis. There will be additional street parking in the adjacent neighborhoods.  

swim cap - Remember to wear the cap that comes with your packet. This will help the water safety team identify swimmers in each event.        

Swim Buoy Swimmers are allowed to wear a swim buoy. It should be a color other than orange to avoid confusion with sighting buoys but if you only have orange it's better than no buoy. 

Water temperature - around 70 degrees                                                                                    

Mandatory swimmer meeting - for ALL swimmers 7:40 race day                                                                                      

2.4 mile swimmers start - 8:00 line up on the stairs according to your predicted pace. Warm ups for the 2.4 mile swim will be at 7:50.

1.2 mile swimmers BOARD THE BUS AFTER THE NATIONAL ANTHEM - 1.2 mile swimmers will board the bus to the other end of the lake. When you arrive at the park give your gear bags to the volunteers there.                                                                                                                                          

1.2 mile Swim warm ups will happen upon arrival at the other side of the lake. Warm up on the right side of the dock please. Stay clear of 2.4 mile athletes swimming by. When the volunteers say it’s time to start, line up according to your predicted pace per 100 yards.                                                                                                                                              

post race nutrition - will be up the hill at the finish line after completing your swim.                                                                                                                  

Awards - First place overall awards will be announced after the race. First place age group awards will be at a table near the food above the finish line. 

By signing up for the swim you will also be showing support for a worthy cause: The all volunteer La Crosse Dive Unit whose functions are but not limited to Swift Water/Flood Rescue, Ice Rescue, Underwater Rescue and recovery & Vessel security services. The Dive Unit will be supporting this swim event.

We cannot guarantee a t-shirt size if you sign up after June 5, 2026.